Abortions among teenagers are very common these days, and this is also unavoidably traumatic. This is due to an increase of exposure growing between teens and the exploration of their sexuality, along with the lack of proper sex education. Thus, it may lead to physical activities that can cause STDs, pregnancies, and subsequently lead to even more abortions.
For a thorough understanding of the incidences that are growing under teenagers with the need for abortions, it’s important to recognize the underlying reasons for the number of teenagers that fall pregnant.
Whether these abortions are planned due to the reaction of a pregnancy that is unplanned, or in cases where it is due to medical conditions, it’s still necessary to know that abortions among teenagers might be able to be avoided. Physical and emotional trauma brought by abortion will change any teenager’s life forever.
Reasons why teenagers may choose to have an abortion
There can be a variety of reasons for teens to choose abortions. Generally, they might fall pregnant while in a relationship that is only casual, therefore, they won’t be ready to take on the responsibility of raising a child. It can be due to fear of how a baby would change their lives, as well as a lack of support by the family, or even due to money issues. Any of these and more may lead to their choice of an abortion.
If teenagers decide to keep their baby, it would be necessary to leave school, which could impact their future tremendously. This is actually said to be something that bothers them most when they experience a pregnancy that is unintended.
Surveys done with teenagers or women concerning the choices of abortion indicated the following:
They wouldn’t want a child due to having parents that experienced a troubled relationship.
Any girl or woman that is in a bad physical health condition would rather have an abortion.
Reluctance and fear of being single parents when partners refuse to take responsibility.
When the family doesn’t offer support in taking care of a new baby and the mother.
Lack of money for expenses related to the pregnancy and to raise the baby.
The fear of not being able to handle the extra responsibility.
Most of the time, teenagers that face unintended or unplanned pregnancies choose abortion due to the reasons above. However, there are other factors they also consider.
Evaluating the decision
When a pregnancy is unintentional, there can be many things to consider or reconsider. Teenage girls will face many questions which require answers.
Their choice can be influenced by different factors that may include:
Their religious believes
Where they reside
The status of their relationship
What her relationship is like with her parents
Influences she might experience of her peers
Access and availability of services for contraceptives
Many teens also feel they are not responsible or mature enough of taking care of a child. Financially they can’t do it, plus, a child would change their whole life.
A parental support that lacks
For young girls, the birth of a child is a decision that can be life-altering, due to the fact it can change her life forever. Girls that don’t get support from the family, especially her parents, they might feel under pressure and stress, with no option to choose between an abortion and keeping the baby. Teenagers always feel the necessity to plan their future as it is what society requires of them. Therefore, a pregnancy can be a complication and with a support that lacks from their parents, it’s possible that they may make the wrong choice.
Most teenage mothers that choose to keep the baby might experience a negative impact on their lives. The majority of them loses their prospects of a career due to the interruption of their educational plans. Statistics have proven that less than two percent of teenage moms that has a baby before eighteen years of age have returned to college for completing a degree.
Acceptance by society
Society today has changed a lot from the original tradition of being conservative to being a community that is more progressive. However, still, there is a social stigma related to pregnancy among teenagers, especially if they are not married and fall pregnant during a casual affair.
Except for the fact that society has started to accept more teenagers becoming sexually active these days, it’s still difficult for them to accept pregnancies among young girls. Any girl that makes the decision to keep the baby will become the main subject of pity and gossip. Thus, to avoid this pressure socially, most teen girls would choose abortion.
Different reasons for abortion
Although it’s been spoken in tones that are hushed, a lot of girls might choose abortion due to rape and incest. Generally, statistics have shown that this would be first on the list of reasons among teenagers for abortions.
Normally, this in itself will be very traumatic for any girl who was molested sexually by a trusted friend or family member. What then makes it worse, is if they discover they are pregnant due to the molestation. Incest and rape can make them feel very ashamed, and when adding a pregnancy, the additional stress and shame can drive them to unorthodox solutions.
Therefore, proper education and assistance should be offered at home and in schools for all teenage girls.